Ferric Carboxymaltose
Description
Ferric Carboxymaltose is an iron supplement medicine. It is used to treat iron deficiency anaemia (low red blood cell count than the normal level due to iron deficiency) in adults. It works by restoring the iron in red blood cells to supply oxygen throughout your body.
Ferric Carboxymaltose has some side effects, like headache, vomiting, dizziness, and pain at the site of injection etc. These side effects may subside by themselves. Consult your doctor if they bother you for a long time or worsen.
Ferric Carboxymaltose is given into your vein by a qualified health care professional in a hospital setting. It is usually given once a week. The dose and duration of treatment will be decided by your doctor based on your clinical condition. Taking a healthy diet with leafy vegetables and iron-rich food will restore the iron levels in your body.
Ferric Carboxymaltose is not recommended in children below 14 years of age as the safety and efficacy data for use are not available. Inform your doctor if you have joint pains, liver or skin conditions including your ongoing medication. Also, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Ferric Carboxymaltose
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Sweating
- Fast or slow heartbeat
- Unusual tiredness and weakness
- Redness of face, neck, arms and chest
- Nausea and vomiting
- Itching
- Change in taste
- Pain at the injection site
Uses of Ferric Carboxymaltose
What is it prescribed for?
- Iron deficiency anaemia
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for Ferric Carboxymaltose to show its action is not known.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which Ferric Carboxymaltose remains active in your body is not known.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Ferric Carboxymaltose.
- Usage in pregnancy?Ferric Carboxymaltose is not recommended for use if you are pregnant. The risks and benefits should be discussed with your doctor before receiving this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Ferric Carboxymaltose is considered safe for use if you are breastfeeding. However, the risks and benefits should be discussed with your doctor before receiving this medicine.
Allergy
Avoid receiving Ferric Carboxymaltose if you are allergic to it. Serious allergic reactions to this medicine are rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Ferric Carboxymaltose is not recommended for use if you are pregnant. The risks and benefits should be discussed with your doctor before receiving this medicine.
Breast-feeding
Ferric Carboxymaltose is considered safe for use if you are breastfeeding. However, the risks and benefits should be discussed with your doctor before receiving this medicine.
General warnings
Use in children
Use of Ferric Carboxymaltose is not recommended for use in children less than 14 years of age as the safety and efficacy data are not available.
Hypertension
Use Ferric Carboxymaltose with extreme caution if you have hypertension (high blood pressure) because it may further increase your blood pressure. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine as needed based on your clinical condition.
Liver disease
Use Ferric Carboxymaltose with caution if you have liver problems due to the increased risk of severe side effects. Your doctor may suggest tests to closely monitor your liver function while on treatment with this medicine.
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a condition in which your immune system (defence system) attacks its tissues. It affects skin, joints, blood, kidney, brain, etc. The symptoms are tiredness, fever, joint pain and skin rash. Use Ferric Carboxymaltose with caution if you have this condition due to the increased risk of serious side effects.
Severe asthma
Asthma is a breathing disorder caused due to constriction of the airway and excess mucous secretion. Use Ferric Carboxymaltose with caution if you have severe asthma due to the increased risk of serious side effects. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine as needed based on your clinical condition.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition in which your immune system (defence system) attacks its tissue and causes swelling and pain at the joints. Use Ferric Carboxymaltose with caution if you have joint problems due to the increased risk of serious side effects.
Hypersensitivity reactions
Ferric Carboxymaltose may cause serious allergic reactions (nausea, vomiting, breathing difficulty etc,), shock, loss of consciousness, collapse, and low blood pressure, etc. Your doctor may monitor you for signs and symptoms of allergic reactions during and after therapy with this medicine for about 30 minutes.
Missed Dose
Since Ferric Carboxymaltose is administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical/hospital setting, the likelihood of missing a dose is very low.
Overdose
Since Ferric Carboxymaltose is administered in the hospital/clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, your doctor will take necessary measures if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Captopril
Benazepril
Lisinopril
Chloramphenicol
Ferrous Gluconate
Dimercaprol
Disease interactions
Disease
Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Ferric Carboxymaltose is administered by a qualified healthcare professional in a hospital setting.
Inform your doctor if you have a known history of allergy to this medicine.
Report to your doctor all your current medicines as well as your medical conditions before receiving this medicine.
Besides using this medicine, taking healthy food with iron content like green leafy vegetables, dry fruits, seafood, etc., will restore the iron balance in your body.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Ferric Carboxymaltose works by restoring iron in your body. Iron is vital for the formation of new red blood cells and haemoglobin, a substance that gives these cells the ability to transport oxygen.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Iron products, Iron supplements
Schedule
Schedule H
Go.drugbank.com. 2021. Ferric carboxymaltose: Uses, Interactions, Mechanism of Action | DrugBank Online. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 29 September 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 29 September 2021].
Sites.dundee.ac.uk. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 29 September 2021].
Drugs, H., 2021. Ferric Carboxymaltose Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 29 September 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 28 Oct 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.